Green Agenda Implementation for LEADER Approach in Western Balkans
The Working Group at the Agricultural Policy Forum 2021 discussed the current situation of the LEADER approach in the Western Balkans, highlighting key assets, opportunities, barriers, and ways forward. Key assets include capacity building, functional LAG initiatives, and political will, while barriers include legal issues, lack of finance, and awareness gaps. The group proposed improving communication with the EU, enhancing networking among LAGs, and pursuing IPARD 3 opportunities as ways forward to successfully implement the LEADER approach in the region.
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Presentation Transcript
Agricultural Policy Forum 2021 Green Agenda for the Western Balkans: Commitments and Reality Check Working Group 3: The LEADER Approach in the Western Balkans 20 October 2021 Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia
Main Purpose of the WG Discuss current situation in the WB regarding LEADER - State of affairs for implementation of LEADER in each country - Legal framework and institutional set up ( relevant ministries, MA,PA) - The aspects of civil society ( National RDNs and BRDN) in facilitating implementation of LEADER Identifying key assets and opportunities Formulating the key barriers Ways forward
Key Assets/Opportunities 1. Significant upgrade in terms of capacity buildings 2. Numbers of Lags and LAG initiatives functional and semi functional 3. LEADER in IPARD 3 as a new measure 4. Regional cooperation and sharing experience such as SWG and BRDN 5. Clearly expressed political will to address LEADER in WB 6. National networks as tools for LEADER affirmation in WB 7. National agricultural programs supporting LEADER 8.BRDN platform as a way for networking the LAGs from the WB countries
Key Barriers Legal issues- examples - lack of law and secondary regulation on LEADER (MNG, BiH), - lack of regulation regarding inclusion of local government in LAG ( i.e. registration as NGO, SRB), - legal barrier for engaging competent human resources in relevant state agencies, understaffed, not qualified enough administrative inflexibility of state bodies relevant for accreditation of LEADER, (paying agency, MKD), - the manner of rotation of responsible people from local government represented in the LAG Kosovo*) Lack of finance- lack of continuous support of LAGs Lack of awareness on the LEADER approach in WB countries Lack of capacity for managing LAGs Frequent changes of responsible people in MA Lack of coordination between sectors ( relevant sectors within the ministries) Frequent change of governments and political instability
Ways Forward Improved communication with EU Commission and speeding up the process of accreditation Channeling the messages from BRDN and national networks through SWG to the national ministries Awareness raising campaigns and promotional materials ( brochures, videos..) Transfer of knowledge from neighboring EU countries ( Croatia) Enhanced networking among LAGs through the national networks Pursue the IPARD 3 opportunities, realistic expectation for accreditation the LEADER measures is 2025 Fostering the inclusion of Kosovo and BiH in the IPARD program Keeping the enthusiasm of LAGs through the national schemes (piloting the LEADER through simulation of IPARD LEADER) and increasing the capacities and absorption power of LAGs Regional networking ( SWG and BRDN) and cooperation with EU networks in addressing the issue to other relevant EU bodies/platforms (ERP) Follow the roadmap to LEADER straightforward action plan for implementation of LEADER in each WB country ( three levels: legal and institutional framework, networking and LAGs)
